Rumors strongly suggest that Apple will release the seventh-generation iPad mini in November, nearly three years after the small tablet was last updated. Based on the latest rumors and reports, we've rounded up what to expect from Apple's next generation of small tablets.
Design & Display
The new iPad mini is expected to retain its compact 8.3-inch display and the overall design introduced in the sixth generation. However, rumors suggest that Apple may address the "jelly scrolling" issue by rotating the screen assembly. The move is aimed at reducing the noticeable delay when scrolling vertically in portrait mode, something that has frustrated some existing users.
performance enhancement
While the iPad Pro and iPad Air now come with M-series chips, the iPad mini 7 is expected to continue using A-series chips. It is likely to come with the A17 Pro chip from the iPhone 15 Pro or the A18 chip from the iPhone 16. This upgrade will provide a significant performance boost to the current model's A15 Bionic chip and support Apple Smart features.
Connectivity improvements
The new iPad mini will almost certainly support Wi-Fi 6E, which means the ability to connect to the 6GHz band of a compatible router. It's also expected to support Bluetooth 5.3, bringing the latest wireless connectivity standard to the tiny tablet. The cellular version could move to eSIM altogether, possibly eliminating the physical nano-SIM slot.
camera enhancement
Apple may move the front-facing camera to the edge of the landscape screen, similar to the latest iPad Air. this change is expected to improve the video calling experience, especially when the device is used in landscape. The camera may also be upgraded, such as support for HDR 4 and a larger aperture.
Apple Pencil Compatibility
The iPad mini 7 may support the Apple Pencil Pro, which introduces features like squeeze gestures, haptic feedback, and "Find Me" integration. It may also include the hover feature of the Apple Pencil Pro.
Color Selection
While the current iPad mini is offered in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink and Purple, the new model may feature a similar color scheme to the iPad Air. This could mean the introduction of blue and the removal of pink.
Publish & Supply
With the current inventory of the iPad mini dwindling, a November release is becoming more and more likely. In fact, well-informed Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman recently said that Apple could release a new iPad mini in early November, alongside the new M4 Mac lineup, possibly on November 1st. Pricing for the new model is expected to be similar to its predecessor, with the Wi-Fi version starting at $499.
Future iPad models
Rumors are swirling that Apple is working on a folding iPad mini and incorporating OLED display technology into it, although neither update is expected to be released in 2024. The release of a folding iPad mini or OLED display is not expected until 2026, 2027, or even later.
summarize
Overall, Apple's iPad mini 7 will be a modest but significant upgrade, bringing Apple Smart support as well as performance and usability improvements rather than a dramatic redesign. As usual, we'll need to wait for Apple's official announcement to confirm these details.
